“ABA strongly supports a stable, viable, and profitable wheat growing community. As the single largest users of high quality wheats, America’s bakers fully appreciate the enormous risks and entrepreneurial spirit required to grow wheat for our wholesome and nutritious products,” said American Bakers Association (ABA) President & CEO Robb MacKie. “ABA supports the goals of the NAWG National Wheat Action Plan; we are eager to learn more regarding this new unilateral effort. It is our sincere hope that ABA will be invited to include the bakers’ perspective on opportunities and hurdles for the future of wheat. The grower community must recognize that no matter how supportive bakers may be of a variety of wheat innovation opportunities, if consumers reject technology there will be zero acceptance on the part of bakers.”

“ABA was disappointed that NAWG in its announcement made specific reference to bakery products without acknowledging there is no commercially available biotech wheat and without consulting their end-user customers,” continued MacKie. “It is particularly troubling given an environment where there are significant consumer questions surrounding the country’s food supply including the misperception that there is commercially available biotech wheat.”

“The North American Miller’s Association (NAMA) supports the central goals of the National Wheat Action Plan and we are eager to learn more about the program,“ said NAMA’s President, Jim McCarthy. “We hope to work with NAWG and NWF toward the goal of urging greater acreage devoted to wheat production. We look forward to learning what the program entails.”

“ABA and NAMA are committed to continue their inclusive joint dialogue regarding wheat innovation and look forward to working with key stakeholders, including retail and foodservice customers, consumers, technology providers, academia and reliable wheat grower partners,” said MacKie and McCarthy.